# WebLibre: A Privacy-Focused Gecko-Based Android Browser **URL:** https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/weblibre-a-privacy-focused-gecko-based-android-browser/29522 **Category:** Project Showcase **Created:** 2025-07-27T18:53:34Z **Posts:** 22 ## Post 1 by @FaFre — 2025-07-27T18:53:34Z Hi Privacy Guides community, I’m excited to introduce WebLibre, which is an independent browser for Android devices, built on [Mozilla’s Gecko engine](https://wiki.mozilla.org/Gecko) and [Mozilla Android Components](https://mozac.org/). It combines strong privacy defaults with containers, isolated tabs, built-in Tor and proxy routing, Firefox-compatible extensions, on-device search, and flexible tab management. WebLibre is not a Firefox fork. It is its own browser experience, designed for people who want familiar everyday browsing without giving up control over how sites, identities, and network connections are separated. ## What Makes WebLibre Different ### Privacy controls that you can tune New installations start with strict tracking protection. WebLibre also includes DNS over HTTPS, HTTPS-only protection, removal of tracking information from URLs, Global Privacy Control, fingerprinting defenses, site isolation, an Intent Gatekeeper for links opened by other apps, and optional screenshot protection. You can change each privacy setting. Stronger protection can break some websites, so you can add an exception for a site or use a less strict mode. **Learn more:** [Privacy overview](https://docs.weblibre.eu/weblibre/privacy/overview.html) | [Threat model](https://docs.weblibre.eu/weblibre/threat-model.html) ### Tabs, containers, and profiles - Open **Regular** , **Private** , or **Isolated** tabs. Each isolated tab has a separate session from every other tab. Unlike private tabs, isolated tabs remain open after you quit and reopen WebLibre. - Organize tabs in list, grid, or tree views, with parent-child relationships, stacking, filtering, pinning, bulk actions, and a quick switcher. - Use **Containers** for different activities and assign sites to them automatically. - Enable **Cookie Isolation** on a container to give it separate cookies, logins, and site data, then optionally add clear-on-exit rules or per-container Tor/proxy routing. - Create separate **Profiles** for independent tabs, bookmarks, history, logins, extensions, feeds, and settings. Profiles can be backed up and protected using compatible Android device authentication. **Learn more:** [Tab management](https://docs.weblibre.eu/weblibre/tabs/tab-management.html) | [Containers](https://docs.weblibre.eu/weblibre/tabs/containers.html) | [Profiles](https://docs.weblibre.eu/weblibre/profiles.html) ### Built-in Tor and proxy routing WebLibre includes Tor without requiring a separate Tor app. Route regular browsing, private tabs, or selected cookie-isolated containers through Tor, with bridge options such as obfs4 and Snowflake when needed. The built-in proxy client supports SOCKS, HTTP, WireGuard, Shadowsocks, and [a dozen more protocols](https://docs.weblibre.eu/weblibre/proxy.html). Connections can be created manually or imported from subscriptions, QR codes, WireGuard files, and sing-box JSON. **Learn more:** [Tor integration](https://docs.weblibre.eu/weblibre/tor.html) | [Proxy connections](https://docs.weblibre.eu/weblibre/proxy.html) ### Firefox-compatible extensions Install uBlock Origin during onboarding, discover add-ons in WebLibre’s in-app store, use a custom collection, or install a local `.xpi` file. Installed extensions can be updated, configured, and pinned to the toolbar from inside the browser. Not every desktop Firefox extension works well on Android. Add-ons that depend on desktop-only interfaces may be limited, and unsigned extensions should only be installed from sources you trust. **Learn more:** [Extensions](https://docs.weblibre.eu/weblibre/extensions.html) ### Search locally before searching the web The address bar can search open tabs, bookmarks, saved feed articles, history, and popular sites before sending a query to a web provider. The local search index can also index the text of pages you visit on your device, with controls for private tabs, individual containers, and index deletion. Bang providers and custom search engines let you send a query directly to a specific website. Local results stay on your device. If web autocomplete is enabled, partial text is sent to your selected suggestion provider; submitting a web search sends the full query to your selected search engine. **Learn more:** [Personal Local Search](https://docs.weblibre.eu/weblibre/search/local-search.html) | [Bang providers](https://docs.weblibre.eu/weblibre/search/bangs.html) ### Reading and organization tools - **On-Device AI** can suggest draft containers and names from open tab titles. It is optional, requires confirmation before changing anything, and may download a model to your phone. - **Page Translation** translates supported languages on-device after any required language-model download. - **Reader Mode** , PDF/Markdown/full-page export, a QR scanner, and installable web apps are built in. - **RSS/Atom feeds** and Small Web discovery help you follow and find independent sites. - **Firefox Sync** can synchronize tabs, bookmarks, and history with your other devices. **Learn more:** [On-Device AI](https://docs.weblibre.eu/weblibre/on-device-ai.html) | [Content tools](https://docs.weblibre.eu/weblibre/reader-mode.html) | [Full documentation](https://docs.weblibre.eu/) You can find further information and additional features in the (documentation: [https://docs.weblibre.eu/](https://docs.weblibre.eu/) The code (and install instructions) is available here: [GitHub](https://github.com/FaFre/WebLibre) --- ## Post 2 by @anonymous372 — 2025-07-27T19:07:11Z Does it or will it contain hardening from IronFox? > **[IronFox OSS / IronFox · GitLab](https://gitlab.com/ironfox-oss/IronFox)** > > Privacy and security-oriented Firefox-based web browser for Android. https://ironfoxoss.org/ The container tabs feature sounds interesting, I’m thinking it can help solve some of Android Gecko’s site isolation problems! --- ## Post 3 by @FaFre — 2025-07-27T19:19:03Z It contains a curated list of hardening presets that are individually controllable via settings, giving users full control. In IronFox, the hardenings are compiled into the APK, whereas WebLibre provides a transparent and dynamic settings page with explanations etc. --- ## Post 4 by @SpunkyEatsYou — 2025-07-27T21:28:34Z Just tried it, it’s great that you’ve changed the UI compared to other similar browsers, truly an excellent browser, with many features, really good job! Perhaps the only negative point I find after a few minutes of use is the fact that when clicking the URL, it appears too high on the screen, making it inconvenient to modify. But I repeat, great job. :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes: --- ## Post 5 by @FaFre — 2025-07-28T17:46:12Z Thank you! And yes, I’m agreeing on the address field, the position is not ideal there… Will be reworking the Tab UI in the next days to make it more convenient. --- ## Post 6 by @anon63378630 — 2025-07-29T01:44:24Z This is not very libre if you’re pulling in Google Play Services: ![Screenshot From 2025-07-28 21-43-46](https://forum-uploads.privacyguidesusercontent.com/original/2X/4/45caf19d247b9dc6f845683644ba01da70cff466.png) You’re just using their prebuilt binaries and not compiling from source? Also wtf: ![Screenshot From 2025-07-28 22-04-14](https://forum-uploads.privacyguidesusercontent.com/original/2X/7/762ab6dc8e213f358a973f59e7c7ae75ef8e353c.png) --- ## Post 7 by @FaFre — 2025-07-29T07:16:31Z The F-Droid builds will be ready in a few days I expect. Thanks for letting me know about the resources, I need to check how they can get replaced. --- ## Post 8 by @anon63378630 — 2025-07-29T07:34:44Z > [@FaFre](#): > > will be ready in a few days I expect Are you using fennecbuild? edit: it seems you are: - [New App: eu.weblibre.gecko (!24560) · Merge requests · F-Droid / Data · GitLab](https://gitlab.com/fdroid/fdroiddata/-/merge_requests/24560) - [Fabian Freund / FennecComponents · GitLab](https://gitlab.com/FaFre/fennec-components) then why are you having the github release not be the source built version? --- ## Post 9 by @FaFre — 2025-07-29T07:43:44Z Yes, its a slightly modified fennecbuild, the progress is tracked here: [New App: eu.weblibre.gecko (!24560) · Merge requests · F-Droid / Data · GitLab](https://gitlab.com/fdroid/fdroiddata/-/merge_requests/24560) I’m working on getting everything switched to the fennec builds, also the github builds. Will probably set up a maven server, but need to do more research on what will be the best way to not hinder local development and possible contributors. I could already get rid of gstatic from the docs btw, should be already live by now. Rest will thrown out soon. Edit: Reason for the GitHub builds still relying on mozilla maven is because I’m having quite a vivid release cycle in the alpha phase and in that way builds are ready in usually around half an hour. Building every time the entire mozilla libs is taking a minimum of 4-6 hours with average workers. I need to check what is possible to avoid those rebuilds every time and still comply with f-droid. --- ## Post 10 by @FaFre — 2025-08-11T11:04:54Z In the most recent release this should be more convenient now, as the address is now displayed in a bottom sheet. The browser is now finally available on F-Droid: [WebLibre: Private Browser | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/eu.weblibre.gecko/) --- ## Post 11 by @erx23 — 2025-08-20T08:33:30Z Hi, I’ve been using the F-Droid build for a few days. The browser surely feels snappier than the IronFox. The UI feels refreshing with other forks look just the same. Here are just a few suggestions: - There are few frictions, especially when opening and closing the tabs. - The web engine hardening gets turned off every time I close the app. - The tab bar doesn’t show on the new tab unless I open a sit. - The Bang Categories seems like an amazing feature but there’s not enough clarity on it. It is something that should be worth working upon, and maybe even the something the browser could be marketed at. - Some basic settings are still missing that are staple in other browser, like customizing the autocomplete, or the address bar can’t be moved on top. Overall, this is a great project and already a solid browser to use. If you’re open to it, I’d love to connect and share more structured feedback. I can put together a proper UX audit/journey write-up with ideas that I think could really help this project stand out. Happy to contribute wherever useful. --- ## Post 12 by @anon94117004 — 2025-08-20T23:31:57Z > [@erx23](#): > > The web engine hardening gets turned off every time I close the app. It appears the settings stick, but the toggle state resets. --- ## Post 13 by @FaFre — 2025-08-21T02:58:16Z Thanks for the feedback! There is currently an issue regarding query parameter stripping that is now controlled when bootstrapping the engine ([[bug] complete hardening auto turned off · Issue #27 · FaFre/WebLibre · GitHub](https://github.com/FaFre/WebLibre/issues/27)) that’s the reason why complete hardening is not showing complete. All other hardening features stay active, you can control that for each setting indicating the closed lock icon. Looking forward to push an update the next few days fixing that. Input for proper UI/UX is very welcomed! The project is still in an early stage, so much room to get creative. It would be great if you could communicate this in form of GitHub issues like linked above, so everything is consolidated. I could not reproduce `The tab bar doesn’t show on the new tab unless I open a sit.`to get it solved some screenshots or videos would help explaining whats happening there. Please also do open an GitHub issue for that, so I can fix it. Thanks. --- ## Post 14 by @FaFre — 2026-03-25T10:54:53Z It’s been a while and the project has been actively developed during the past months! Its worth having a look again, a lot has changed since last August. I updated the first post adding some recent information. --- ## Post 15 by @anon25722375 — 2026-03-25T11:12:34Z Just downloaded it to check it out on GrapheneOS. Would be even better to have an “Add to Obtanium” link directly on the docs page or your Github directly. I had to manually search, add, and download. --- ## Post 16 by @any1 — 2026-03-27T20:24:27Z If you are gonna take preferences from Phoenix, at least give some credit. --- ## Post 17 by @FaFre — 2026-03-28T06:17:21Z Thanks for pointing that out @any1 . The docs are still in early preview state as I just rewrote them a few days ago. If you find anything else, please let me know (also please feel free to raise a issue directly in [GitHub - FaFre/weblibre-docs · GitHub](https://github.com/FaFre/weblibre-docs/) ). The attribution for the hardenings is now online here: [Web Engine Hardening :: WebLibre Browser](https://docs.weblibre.eu/weblibre/privacy/web-engine-hardening.html#_attributions) I also added Fennec attributions on which base the deps are getting built here: [WebLibre Browser Documentation](https://docs.weblibre.eu/weblibre/index.html#_attributions) --- ## Post 18 by @tooinfinity — 2026-03-28T08:23:58Z Added today to play with --- ## Post 19 by @FaFre — 2026-05-09T10:52:01Z Thanks to a growing community, a lot of new features and improvements have found their way into WebLibre over the past few weeks, forming a new major update: [https://github.com/FaFre/WebLibre/releases/tag/v0.11.0](https://github.com/FaFre/WebLibre/releases/tag/v0.11.0) (the F-Droid update will follow in a few days) --- ## Post 20 by @DanielM — 2026-05-10T23:37:19Z I’m testing the modifications, and so far, I’ve identified some areas that require potential improvements: 1. Improve browser performance for resource-intensive sites without compromising security and privacy. 2. It has many options; however, the password option, for example, is not available in the synchronization settings. 3. Integrate Spanish language support for the interface. Question: Does it have real-time notification synchronization for new updates? Keep improving the browser based on this engine. --- ## Post 21 by @FaFre — 2026-05-11T03:07:49Z Thanks for your feedback @DanielM 1. If you have some time it would be great if you could open a GitHub issue showcasing those performance issues by comparing WebLibre with another browser by having two small recordings, so I can decide if there is a need to investigate something 2. Yes, and that is by design. In fact password and credit card storage is turned off in WebLibre. I recommend to use a third party password manager like Bitwarden for storing passwords instead. 3. Yes, it is planned but has lower priority right now. Once WebLibre is out of the alpha, many languages will get integrated. Yes there is experimental support for UnifiedPush which is already working well, but will undergo some changes to extend PWA support. You can find the setting in Advanced → Experimental. If you need support I recommend you to join our Matrix server (link in GithHub repo) --- ## Post 22 by @FaFre — 2026-07-15T10:34:48Z Hi everyone, I updated the main post reflecting the current project status. Yesterday a new major release got finished: [Release v0.20.0 · FaFre/WebLibre · GitHub](https://github.com/FaFre/WebLibre/releases/tag/v0.20.0) ## Highlights - **Proxy Management** — sing-box powered proxy profiles with per-container and global routing - **Local Search Index** — full-text search of the pages you visit, entirely on-device - **Touch Gestures** — draw gestures on web pages to navigate and control tabs - **Tab Stacking** — redesigned quick tab switcher with new Accordion and Two Rows layouts - **Vertical Side Rail** — place the tab bar on the left or right edge of the screen - **Container-Aware History** — see and filter which container a visit came from - **Desktop Mode Overhaul** — global, per-site, and per-tab desktop mode control - **Pure Black (OLED) Theme** — true black backgrounds in app and reader mode - **Engine Upgrade** — Mozilla Components / GeckoView 152.0.4 For a full overview see the updated main post or GitHub Readme: [WebLibre/README.md at main · FaFre/WebLibre · GitHub](https://github.com/FaFre/WebLibre/blob/main/README.md)